English Division Research Articles

Effects of Sleep Quality and Quantity on Academic Performace and Feeling of Medical Students

Abstract Background: the performance of students in their academic life is reflected by their sleep habits and timing, this research has been done in order to get a deeper understanding of the relationship between quality and quantity of sleep and academic performance among the medical students of Ovidius University. Methods: The study was conducted on 30 randomly selected medical students of Ovidius University (English division), 55% male and 45% female, by collecting their sleep timing for 2 weeks, followed by a self-report questionnaire (PSQI) to obtain more details. Furthermore, PSQI global scale (pittsburgh sleep quality index) was used to assess the sleep quality over a 2 week time interval. Regarding the academic performance, students were divided based on their grades into three categories (excellent, very good, good). Result: difference in students’ academic performance was noticed, 36% got an excellent performance, 45% got a very good performance, 19% got a good performance, medication usage was not reported by most students (87%), yet a small number (3%) used medication to sleep better. The average sleeping time for male 6h29, female 6h25, the sleeping rate was the same for both genders 3.2 out of 5, PSQI scale for female was 6.98 points and for male it was slightly higher with 0.4 points which indicates they have a worse sleeping habit.

Imported parasitosis as a diagnostic challenge in Primary Healthcare Clinic in the non-endemic region — a case study of schistosomiasis in English Division student

Schistosomiasis is a parasitosis, most commonly caused by Schistosoma mansoni or Schistosoma haematobium, eventually by other species from the genus Schistosoma (blood flukes). This study presents a case of schistosomiasis in an African-origin student cured in the Primary Healthcare Clinic (PHC) in Lublin, Poland. The young adult male patient from Zimbabwe, studying in Poland, presented to the PHC, due to pain in the left down quadrant of the abdomen, bloody stools, and a single episode of drooling with a blood-stained jelly-like mass, without fever. In blood tests, there was neutropenia, lymphocytosis and eosinophilia. In a colonoscopy, numerous lymphoid nodules were observed with small regions of mucosal erythema, faded vascular drawing, and delayed small contact bleeding. The patient had an elevated level of IgE (329,5 IU/mL; N < 158) and minor abnormalities in the proteinogram. Abdominal CT showed calcification of intestinal walls, suggesting infection of flukes from the Schistosoma genus. The result of histopathological examination confirmed the presence of structures interpreted as parasite eggs in intestinal crypts, lamina propria and the lumen of mesenteric vessels. It is of great importance, that general medicine physicians working in schistosomiasis non-endemic regions are aware and pay attention to various risks as well as provide referrals to advanced imaging and endoscopic procedures in patients with unusual health problems. Keeping in mind, that early signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis, and results of blood tests may remain unspecific in contrast to a more complex gastrointestinal diagnostic approach, a chance of early diagnosis and successful therapeutic intervention may be facilitated.

No Crowds, No Home Advantage in Football during the COVID-19 Season: Are Crowds Able to Manipulate All but the Best Referees’ Behaviour?

This study confirmed that without crowds there was no home advantage in association football during the COVID-19 2020-21 season. Consequently, we sort to answer the obvious question, ‘Are crowds influencing referees’ behaviour?’ The number of home and away red and yellow cards awarded in the ‘no crowd’ COVID-19 2020-21 season (all 4 top English divisions) were compared with the home and away cards awarded during the previous 10 ‘crowd’ seasons (2010-11 to 2019-20). Results revealed that there was no home advantage in red and yellow cards awarded by referees in all 4 English leagues/divisions during the COVID-19 2020-21 season. Referees awarded significantly more cards to away players when adjudicating with crowds (seasons 2010-11 to 2019-20). However, in more recent ‘crowd’ seasons, Premier League referees are less susceptible to such influences with a narrowing of the gap between home and away yellow cards, suggesting that their preparation, management and training provides them with an element of ‘crowd immunity’. It would appear that home crowds are able to influence all but the very best referees’ behaviour. These new insights provide important information for the training and management of referees.

The relationship between knowledge about the pandemic and willingness to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 in medical students in Poland: A cross-sectional survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic underlines the importance of targeting the groups with the highest risk of vaccine hesitancy, understanding their fears, and alleviating them. As the pandemic situation is very dynamic due to the appearance of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, concerns might also change over time. This is the first study to evaluate the vaccination rate and state of knowledge among medical students in Poland, comparing English and Polish divisions. We collected the data in 2 months. A total of 1,521 surveys were collected as follows: 273 students from the English division and 1,248 students from the Polish division answered the survey. The questionnaire was aimed at investigating students' awareness, knowledge, and apprehensions toward the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. The results were obtained for the following statements: good knowledge about ways of transmission is not statistically significant in determining if a student is vaccinated. Moreover, a year of study is not statistically significant in determining if a student knows all ways of COVID-19 transmission. Interestingly, the correlation between the statement “Keeping up to date with the upcoming vaccines is important for my role as a future health care worker” and being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 showed that 45.5% of unvaccinated students did not update their information about the vaccines and rated 1 out of 5 for this statement (p < 0.001). Even though the pandemic will not last forever, the obtained knowledge about the role of individual interests can be applied in many different life situations as this feature is statistically significant.

Tablet-assisted objective structured spotter practical examination (TOSSPE): Advantages of an innovative anatomy spotter examination method for medical student assessment.

The affordances of technology-based assessments, like the objectively structured practical examination, have become an integral part of gross anatomy courses. The Department of Anatomy Faculty of Medicine at the University of Warmia and Mazury developed and introduced an application for tablet devices which has been implemented in student examinations and assessments, called the tablet-assisted objective structured spotter practical examination. It was created to simplify the educational process and to build a rich learning environment, facilitating deep learning for students through examination and feedback data. The method consists of cadaver stations with traditional corresponding pin spotters in an expanded tablet application. It not only provides instant feedback on various observations of teaching-learning skills but has also positively affected the entire process of education. The method provides an unbiased evaluation of knowledge and understanding of the anatomy course, ensuring objectivity and standardization. The current study was performed on a total of 608 first-year medical students in Polish and English divisions and focused on the observed advantages since the new method was introduced. Outcomes indicate that after the implementation of the method for both the Polish and English divisions' first-year medical students, the mean score of examinations significantly increased compared to other teaching-learning methods. The study highlights that students were excited about the implementation of the new method and identified its many benefits. It is recognized that technological development and the digital environment offer a range of opportunities and added value versus traditional assessment activities, methods, and processes.

Flipped spotters learning model: An innovative student activity-based strategy. A preparation tool for anatomy practical examinations in medical education.

The flipped spotters learning model is a modern student activity-based and learner-centered method in medical education. The aim of the study was to determine if the flipped spotters learning model improves students' learning. Participants were 1214 medical students of Polish (PD) and English (ED) divisions between 2013 and 2019 academic years at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. They were divided into a traditional group (control group) and a flipped spotters learning group (treatment group). Each flipped spotters learning group was asked to label anatomical structures on various specimens according to the structures name list prepared by the teacher on the multiple stations. The flipped spotters learning group leaders were instructed to take pictures with the appropriately marked structures on each of the human body prosections. After completion of the class, each flipped spotters team received photos for evaluation. In the flipped spotters learning model, the students strengthened their skills and knowledge by matching specimens independently as a form of practical laboratory activities. Students' performance in gross anatomy practical examinations between the group utilizing the flipped spotters learning model, and the group with the traditional teaching model was compared. Students participating in the treatment group achieved, on average 9.9 percentage points higher among PD students, and 13.0 percentage points higher among ED students than the control group in all nine practical examinations (the effect size ranging from 0.47 to 0.95). The results suggest the positive impact of flipped spotters model on improving student's performance in the practical examinations.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS ONLINE ASSESSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION :CASE STUDY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES, ENGLISH DIVISION AT BISKRA UNIVERSITY

Incorporating technology into assessment in university framework can transform educational practices by developing self-regulated learning and facilitate interactivity and involvement among students. Recently, development in information and communication technologies (ICT) has played an important role in improving the Internet tools that can be applied for learning and research. The present paper investigates students’ perceptions of online assessment. An exploratory study was carried out to investigate the students’ perceptions of online assessment at the Department of Foreign Languages, English Division at Biskra University. A Sample of 40 Master 1 students from the Division of English who had experienced online assessment during the lockdown due to the Covid 19 was chosen for this study. Only 30 responded, which made a response rate =75%. Data were collected by an online survey which included 15 items to collect data about the students’ opinions of online assessment. Results revealed that students hold a positive attitude and appreciated online assessment

The assessment of stress level, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and defense mechanisms among Polish and English medical students

IntroductionMedical education is proven to be associated with a high degree of psychological stress. Different coping strategies used by students have been investigated on their efficacy. So far, studies on medical students have been limited to a single population.Aim of the studyOur study aimed to identify differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress levels, and defense mechanisms among two groups of medical students, the Polish and English-speaking divisions.Materials and methodsThe study included two groups of first-year medical students, the Polish and English-speaking divisions, comprising 305 participants (n = 204 Polish, n = 101 English, men = 127, women = 176). It was divided into two periods: the students received author questionnaires during an exam-free academic period and then completed the same questionnaires during an exam session. The survey contained questions pertaining to demographics and studying habits among participants and included the Defense Style Questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Data were analyzed using STATISTICA version 12.0, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsPolish medical students presented with significantly increased overall stress levels (p = 0.007858) and depressive symptoms (p = 0.030420) compared to the English division students. Polish students also presented with more symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety during the exam period compared to the exam-free period (p = 0.000625), which did not apply to the English-speaking students. The English division students reached higher scores in the mature defense mechanisms section than the Polish students (p = 0.000001). The use of mature defense mechanisms correlated negatively with the intensity of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in both groups, while immature defense mechanisms promoted higher values of those variables (p = 0.000001).ConclusionsOur study showed significant and multidirectional differences between medical students of the Polish and English divisions attending the same university. Such results could suggest that strategies aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among medical students ought to be adapted towards the needs of a specific population.

Access to Health Care for English Division Students of the Medical University of Warsaw

Foreigners face certain barriers in accessing medical care, though international medical students are in many aspects privileged in this field. The aim of this study is to explore whether these students are facing problems in accessing healthcare. An original survey questionnaire was prepared and distributed online and on paper among students. In total 138 questionnaires were filled out. The results were analyzed using statistical methods. The main barriers faced by students are the lack of knowledge about the healthcare system and language problems. The study shows there is a need to start working on institutional solutions to provide information about access to healthcare and to overcome language barriers in healthcare institutions. * The article is part of a research project financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. / Pracę wykonano w ramach Projektu Badawczego, finansowanego ze środków dotacji celowej MNiSzW.

"The Mountain": A Commentary on the Short Story of Jose V. Ayala, First Prize, Palanca Award, English Division, 1961-62

"The Mountain": A Commentary on the Short Story of Jose V. Ayala, First Prize, Palanca Award, English Division, 1961-62

Attitudes towards neurology among medical undergraduates.

Diseases of the nervous system are an important contributor to clinical and social problems. Therefore there is a need to provide undergraduates and postgraduates of medical faculties with adequate training in neurology. However, many shortcomings have been observed in this field, often associated with students' negative perception of neurology. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes towards neurology amongst undergraduates of the medical faculty at Wroclaw Medical University, and the reasons for these attitudes. As a qualitative component of the study, a focus group discussion was conducted with six fifth year undergraduates. The findings of the focus group and a literature search informed the content of a questionnaire distributed among fifth year students of the medical faculty, including non-Poles attending English Division. The responses to the closed questions were analysed quantitatively and subjected to statistical analysis while the free text comments were analysed qualitatively. Triangulation of the findings from the focus group and the survey was performed. 134 Polish students and 75 English-speaking ones responded to the survey. The majority of participants perceived neurology to be interesting and important for medical education, and it was highly ranked as a potential future speciality. The majority of the survey respondents regarded neurology as difficult and mentioned specific drawbacks. In spite of similar general perceptions of neurology, Polish and English- -speaking students differed in their perceptions of particular aspects, conditioned by diversity in cultural backgrounds and earlier experiences associated with neurology. The course in neurology affected attitudes towards the subject more than preceding experiences, mostly in a positive manner. The fifth year medical undergraduates expressed mostly positive attitudes towards neurology. Cultural background and the course in neurology were the main factors contributing to attitudes in these students.

Assessment of electrocardiogram interpretation skills among Polish and English Division medical students

Introduction. An electrocardiography (ECG) examination is one of the most frequently performed diagnostic tests. The correct interpretation of ECG, particularly in life-threatening scenarios (LTS) can influence decision-making on appropriate actions and so consequently can have an impact on the life and health of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate ECG interpretation skills among a study population and to analyse factors determining their score. Material and methods. ECG interpretation skills were assessed using a self-prepared questionnaire including questions about demographic data and 20 ECG problems arising from 17 cases. Six of these cases were LTS. Three questions evaluated basic understanding of heart rhythm, heart rate and axis. The survey was conducted via the internet. The study population consisted of 551 medical, nursing and emergency medicine students. Results. The overall score among Polish medical students was higher than among nursing and emergency medicine students. English Division medical students scored almost the same as Polish medical students. Assessed in LTS, they performed better than the nursing students, but achieved similar results to those of the emergency medicine students. Analysis of Polish medical students showed that 4th-6th year students scored higher than their younger counterparts. 72% of medical students claimed to have self-educated themselves on ECG interpretation. This group had better results than students who had studied ECG only in the classroom. Less than 20% of students from each category of the study population felt that there were enough classes on ECG. Conclusions. The level of ECG interpretative skills noted among medical students is unsatisfactory. Many factors influence ECG knowledge.

Canadian Education and the National Identity

Recent discussions of nationalism and education in Canada have over-looked the fact that Canadian schools have never addressed themselves to the task of bolstering Canadian nationalism. The f ollowing factors have contributed to this situation : political aims of nineteenth century public school advocates; the British North America Act; continued dependence on British ideals; presence of the United States; and the French English division within the country. The future role of Canadian schools in the development of a national identity raises both practical and moral problems.

Potencjalności aktywne jako kompetencje społeczne – profil psychologiczny studentów medycyny w koncepcji transkulturowej psychoterapii pozytywnej

ABSTRAKTWstęp: Kompetencje społeczne są istotnym elementem pracy lekarzy. Te umiejętności ułatwiają budowanie relacji z pacjentem, prowadzenie wrażliwego kulturowo wywiadu medycznego, sprzyjają realizowaniu zadań diagnostycznych i terapeutycznych oraz pozwalają zadbać o własny dobrostan psychiczny.Celem pracy było poznanie kompetencji społecznych studentów medycyny, z uwzględnieniem aspektu kulturowego.Materiały i metody: Podstawą teoretyczną analizy kompetencji społecznych była koncepcja transkulturowej psychoterapii pozytywnej autorstwa Nossrata Peseschkiana, w której opisano potencjalności aktywne, ujmowane w niniejszej pracy jako kompetencje. W badaniu wzięło udział 133 studentów Wydziału Lekarskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego we Wrocławiu, przy czym 47 osób studiowało w języku polskim, a 86 osób było uczestnikami English Devision. Jako narzędzie pomiarowe wykorzystano Wiesbadeński Kwestionariusz Psychoterapii Pozytywnej i Rodzinnej (Wiesbaden Inventory for Positive Psychotherapy and Family Therapy – WIPPF2).Wyniki: W badanej grupie studentów większość potencjalności aktywnych była odpowiednio zróżnicowana (zbalansowana). Znaczną identyfikację badani ujawnili względem: nadziei, uprzejmości, miłości oraz niezawodności i sprawiedliwości. W porównaniu z osobami studiującymi w języku angielskim studenci polscy mniej (lub najmniej) identyfikowali się z potencjalnościami: porządku, uprzejmości, posłuszeństwa, wierności, cierpliwości i kontaktu, a najbardziej – z niezawodnością. Kobiety przywiązywały większą wagę do uprzejmości, sprawiedliwości, zaufania oraz wiary/sensu niż mężczyźni. Osoby pozostające w związkach nadawały większe znaczenie niż osoby wolne takim potencjalnościom jak: otwartość/szczerość, kontakt, czułość/seksualność, miłość, nadzieja.Wnioski: Zaleca się włączenie w proces edukacji studentów polskich wiedzy na temat innych kultur oraz rozbudzanie postawy ciekawości i otwartości wobec kulturowych uwarunkowań zdrowia pacjenta.

Assessment of ECG interpretation skills among Polish medical students, nursing, emergency medicine and English Division medical students

Assessment of ECG interpretation skills among Polish medical students, nursing, emergency medicine and English Division medical students

The Financial Impact of (Foreign) Private Investors on Team Investments and Profits in Professional Football: Empirical Evidence from the Premier League

US owners at Manchester United, Arsenal London, and Liverpool; Arab owners at Manchester City; Russian owners at Chelsea London – the top football clubs from England have been acquired by private (mostly foreign) majority investors. Some of these clubs have been claimed to distort national competition, and Manchester City had to pay €60m as a punishment for violating UEFA Financial Fair Play rules in 2014. Thus, this article addresses the controversial financial impact of (foreign) private majority investors in the overinvestment environment of European professional football. Applying property rights theory to an unbalanced panel from the first English division from 2005/06 to 2011/12, this paper tests theoretical predictions from the ‘sugar daddy’ literature and empirically shows that, first, private investors increase team investment and decrease profits. And, second, the positive influence on team investment can mainly be reduced to foreign investors. Implications for utility- and profit-maximizing team owners, managers, and regulators are derived.

Dental caries prevalence in patients treated by dentistry students at a university dental clinic

Abstract Introduction. Dental caries is a serious problem affecting numerous populations around the world. During the last decade, there was a significant increase of its prevalence in many countries. Hence, the dental epidemiological status requires some further analysis. Aim. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of dental caries among adults of various age and gender groups treated by dental students of English Division at the Chair and Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of the Medical University of Lublin. Material and methods. The authors collected and analyzed the dental history of patients who had been treated at the university dental clinic in Lublin throughout 2013 and 2014. Results and Conclusions. The mean DMFT index of examined group of patients increases with age and it tends to be higher in women than men. Class I dental caries according to Black’s classification was the most prevalent, followed by class II, class III, class V and class IV. Caries tends to affect molars and premolars most commonly. In addition, these teeth were most likely to be extracted and restored.

The Effect of Writer’s Workshop Approach to Develop Functional Writing Skills of Primary Stage Pre-Service English Language Teachers in Egypt

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of using a program based on the writing workshop approach on developing functional writing skills of pre-service teachers of English in Hurgada faculty of Education. For that purpose, the researcher constructed and validated a teaching program based on the writing workshop approach, checklist of the skills and subskills of functional writing skills, and pre-posttest of functional writing skills. The sample of the study was forty students in Hurgada faculty of Education, English Division (prospective teachers of English). They were randomly chosen and assigned to an experimental group. The experimental group students were taught writing using the writing workshop approach after they had functional writing skills pretest. Findings of the study indicated the writing workshop-based program had significant effects on improving the subjects' functional writing skills.

The Effect of Using Writer’s Workshop Approach on Developing Basic Writing Skills (Mechanics of Writing) of Prospective Teachers of English in Egypt

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of using a program based on the writing workshop approach on developing basic writing skills of prospective teachers of English in Hurgada faculty of Education. For that purpose, the researcher constructed and validated a teaching program based on the writing workshop approach, checklist of the skills and subskills of basic writing skills, and pre-posttest of basic writing skills. The sample of the study was forty students in Hurgada faculty of Education, English Division (prospective teachers of English). They were randomly chosen and assigned to an experimental group. The experimental group students were taught writing using the writing workshop approach after they had basic writing skills pretest. Findings of the study indicated the writing workshop-based program had significant effects on improving the subjects' basic writing skills.

Nawyki higieniczne jamy ustnej wśród studentów kierunku lekarskiego i lekarsko-dentystycznego oraz studentów English Division Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie

Introduction. Proper oral hygiene has a significant effect on the health of the entire body, but frequent brushing of teeth and proper diet can substantially reduce dental caries risks. Aim. The aim of the work is the comparison of oral hygiene habits among Polish and foreign students of Medical University of Lublin. Material and methods. We have carried out a survey among 279 Students of Medical University of Lublin. The respondents comprised 189 students from Poland and 90 students of English Division who come from USA, Canada, Taiwan, India, and Norway. The survey questions concerned the frequency of tooth brushing, consumption of sweets, and dental office visits. The results were statistically analysed. Results. The results are summarized in Tables 1-5. The respondents were divided into two groups: Polish and foreign students. Statistical analysis has revealed statistically significant difference between Polish and foreign students concerning the frequency of dental office visits, brushing teeth, tongue cleaning, and subjective evaluation of oral health condition. There is no statistically significant difference in frequency of sweets consumption. Discussion. Research results concerning oral health care awareness of the students of Medical University of Lublin were compared to the results of Kawamura from Hiroshima, Usman from India, Wędrychowicz-Welman from Poznań, among others. Conclusions. Students of Medical University of Lublin demonstrate sufficient level of oral health awareness. Foreign students visit dental office more often to check-up their teeth. Both groups of respondents usually brush their teeth two times a day, regularly clean tongue and evaluate their oral health condition as good.